5 Common Sewer Line Problems And Signs You Have Them

August 20th, 2018

5 Common Sewer Line Problems And Signs You Have Them

Your residential sewer line plays a crucial role in allowing you to have a hygienic and healthy home. When your sewer line is blocked, broken, or has certain issues, this will affect the entire main line of your home plumbing system.

Here are the five common sewer line problems you may encounter and signs that you have these issues:

Blockage

Sewer lines can become blocked if you keep throwing grease and oil down the sink and flushing objects that shouldn’t be flushed, such as diapers and tampons. The blockage will then restrict water flow in your sewer line.

Common signs that indicate you have a blocked sewer line are:

  • Loud gurgling noises in the pipes
  • The drains are working slower
  • Water is backing up into the lowest drains of your home

Broken, collapsed and skewed pipes

Old residential sewer lines especially those produced before the ‘90s were made of clay or poor-quality plastic pipes. These fixtures become weaker and brittle as the years go by.

If these pipes are not replaced, they will be broken by the shifting of frozen ground or soil surrounding the sewer lines. They can be broken by tree roots as well.

Deteriorated pipes can cause sewer backup. As such, you will also observe water backing up and your drains working slower if your sewer line pipes are damaged.

Tree root infestation

Tree roots naturally gravitate towards areas where water sits to find nutrients. If the sewer line is close enough, roots may grow directly into the pipes. The roots will enter through cracks, crevices, and holes.

Tree root infestations can cause water to back up and overflow. This is one of the biggest plumbing problems you may encounter and often requires major repairs.

Pipe corrosion

Iron pipes last for about 15 to 20 years. After that, they can rust and break open.

Pipe corrosion can also be hastened by the mineral content of the water flowing through the pipe. Its location (behind walls or underground) will speed up its deterioration as well.

If you are experiencing frequent drain backup, your sewer line may already be corroded.

Blocked house trap

A house or plumbing trap is a specially designed fitting shaped like a U which prevents odors from coming out of a city line. It contains water which acts as a natural barrier that blocks odors from escaping and preventing any of them from entering the home.

In case objects such as diapers and tampons are caught in the belly of the trap, the entire system may start to malfunction.

A bad smell coming from your drains can indicate that you have this sewer line issue.

So, knowing the common sewer line problems and their signs is one thing; dealing with them is another. Fixing these issues can be time consuming, complicated, and dirty job. As such, it is best to call plumbing experts immediately when you notice these plumbing problem signs.  

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Where to Find Your Sewer Cleanout

August 13th, 2018

Where to Find Your Sewer Cleanout

Clogs and sewage – certainly not the stuff everyday conversations are made of.

Still, it pays to know what you need to do in case your household ever, quite, unfortunately, gets plagued by a stoppage in the main drain line.

This is not just about a drain clog in the toilet, tub or sink. The main drain line delivers all the wastewater coming from your house to the city or municipal sewer system, or to a septic tank and leach field system.

Hence, a blockage in your main drain line means raw sewage backing up into your house resulting in an unimaginable stench, and waste-laden water spilling over to your floors – the stuff of nightmares, and a certain health hazard unless addressed ASAP.

This is why it is so important for you to know exactly where to find your sewer cleanout. If it’s your first time getting to know about this feature of your plumbing system, read on.

For every house, there’s usually only one sewer cleanout

Ideally, all houses should have a main sewer cleanout. But a few don’t, while some larger houses can have as many as three.

Whenever there is a blockage in your main drain line, this is the plumbing fitting to look for.

But how do you find it?

To locate your main sewer cleanout, you need to do a bit of sleuthing to determine where it is highly likely to be found.

Its location is usually dependent on geography and the house design. However, there are three spots you can try checking first where you might just find it:

Outdoor Clean-Outs

Residences located in regions with a warm climate tend to have their main cleanout located outside. Try looking behind thickets or bushes, or see if you can find a plastic or metal box in a recess in the soil.

Basement

If you have a basement, the main cleanout would most probably be located there.

Bathroom

If you live in a house with a slab foundation, you may want to go looking for the main cleanout in the bathroom. If it’s not there,  your garage where it’s likely to be found near a floor drain.

Get professional plumbing help

A main sewer line blockage is something you most likely can’t fix on your own. A stoppage in the main line is something which definitely requires the expertise and skills of experienced plumbers. You’ll need tools such as a drain snake or a motorized drain auger to fix the problem. You also need to protect yourself from the unsanitary conditions of dealing with sewage. Therefore, give your trusted plumber a call, and get your plumbing issue fixed right away.

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What Do I Do With an Old Bathtub?

August 7th, 2018

What Do I Do With an Old Bathtub?

So you’ve just recently noticed that your tub’s old and worn, and you also suspect that it has already begun to leak. With no bathroom renovation budgeted for in, say, the next five years, getting your tub replaced doesn’t seem like a great idea.

After all, the mess replacing your tub will lead to, and the huge expense and the time it would take for the newly installed tub to be reusable, aren’t things you can deal with right now. All you want is an efficient and reasonable option to get your tub working again within the shortest time possible.

So if you ask yourself, What do I do with an old bathtub, when buying an entirely new one is out of the question? The answer is to either get it refinished or relined.

Tub Refinishing

Otherwise known as “reglazing,” tub refinishing is a labor-intensive process (about four to six hours of site work by a single technician) which involves the use of hazardous chemicals and the following basic steps:

  • Masking the tub surface to protect it from the overspray
  • Venting the bathroom area to get rid of the toxic fumes
  • Caulk removal
  • Swathing the tub in hydrofluoric acid to ensure surface adherence
  • Washing away the hydrofluoric acid
  • New caulk installation
  • Air drying the tub with a fan
  • Spray on coating fast-drying epoxy (two coats)
  • Cleaning with a tack cloth to get rid of dust particles and other foreign objects
  • Spray applications of a polyurethane finish coat (x4) with sanding done in between applications
  • Polishing
  • Curing time of 24 hours (minimum) before the tub can be used with water

Tub Relining

Unlike reglazing work which involves most of the action taking place right in your own home, tub reliners are made offsite after a local installer like Tureks Plumbing has taken exact measurements of your tub and sends them, along with some clear photos, to the tub liner manufacturer he works for.

So, what happens next?

  • Identification of the make/model by the tub liner manufacturer.
  • Using an in-house model of the same, a vacuum-formed mold of the tub is made using a sheet of 1/4 inch ABS acrylic (it’s used for football helmets and airplane windshields, too!). The resulting mold is a 35-pound liner that fits seamlessly on your old tub. Take note that this process takes about four to eight weeks!
  • Prior to installation, the installer uses denatured alcohol to thoroughly clean the old tub and removes both the drain and overflow. The liner is then trimmed to ensure it fits snugly, especially if your tub is in a corner or is set against the wall.
  • The tub liner is then securely attached to the old tub using a two-sided butyl tape and silicone adhesive combo.
  • A matching new drain and overflow are also installed.
  • To finish off, the installer applies caulking at the seams.

The entire installation process can take six to eight hours for one technician to finish. Then you can use your “new” tub right away.

Weighing Your Options

Both refinishing and relining are cost-effective options if you do not have the budget yet to get a new tub, nor do you have the inclination to have your bathroom use interrupted by a mini home renovation project. They can also add years of use to your tired, old tub – depending on what is stated on the warranty.

However, if you have a fiberglass tub, a jetted one or a claw-foot tub, you may need to look elsewhere. Both reglazing and relining companies tend to not take on jobs for such tub types.

So, have you decided yet? Be sure to call Tureks Plumbing Services for more professional advice regarding your tub fixing options.

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What Is That Loud Noise After I Flush?

July 16th, 2018

What Is That Loud Noise After I Flush?

As you flush your toilet, you are caught unawares by the unusually loud sound you hear.

Do you have a small animal trapped somewhere in the bathroom? Is there some structural damage within the walls of the bathroom? Surprised, you flush the toilet again, confirming that the loud sound did indeed come from inside the bathroom. 

“What is that loud noise after I flush?” you ask yourself. The simple answer: A water hammer.

A Water Hammer

A water hammer occurs when water traveling at a fast speed suddenly stops. In this case, the closing of the toilet valve causes the water to stop its movement and crash against the valve. In turn, this causes the pipes to vibrate against your bathroom walls.

Imagine the water inside your toilet pipes as a long line of cars traveling a highway. And then one of the cars makes an abrupt stop without giving the other trailing cars an opportunity to swerve or put on the brakes at a comfortable distance. The result of that is a massive pile-up.

That, in essence, is what happens when a water hammer occurs.

But why do water hammers occur in the first place?

Water hammers are more likely to happen in homes that were built in the sixties. The pipes used in the toilets of these homes are equipped with a T-shaped fitting designed to create an air chamber. The purpose of this air chamber is to act as a shock absorber, preventing water hammers from occurring.

However, this air chamber can be filled with water, rendering it useless in performing the task it was designed for. Fixing this problem is as simple as turning off the main water valve and then draining off the water from all the pipes in your home.

But, if your home was built after the sixties, you shouldn’t hear water hammers in your homes. This is because of the different developments made during these subsequent years to prevent this problem. If your home was built after the sixties and you hear water hammers every time you flush your toilet, it is best to call in a professional plumber to determine the underlying cause. Left unchecked, water hammers can lead to bigger problems which may be more difficult and more costly to fix. Such problems include water leaks in the walls of your home. 

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Pros and Cons for Alternative Waste Line Piping

July 9th, 2018

Pros and Cons for Alternative Waste Line Piping

There was once a time when ceramic, metal and concrete were the only materials used for plumbing.

Today, most pipe metals like galvanized steel and copper. But while metal plumbing is long-lasting, it requires strenuous installation work. Moreover, metal pipes must be welded or threaded, and tubing will require the installation of fittings.

Tureks Plumbing shares some pros and cons for alternative waste line piping materials used by professional plumbing contractors today.

1. Plastic

The use of plastic plumbing pipes was introduced in the 1930s. It gives professional plumbers an option that is easier to install and that prevents the common plumbing problems with metal pipes.

Pros

Corrosion-resistant – Plastic pipes are not easily corroded by common household chemicals or water. It can be adjusted to meet residential plumbing needs, including drainage and water supply.

Easier installation – Since plastic pipes are light, plumbing jobs using these pipes are easier to install and even cost less than those involving metal pipes.

Low heat conductivity – Plastic does not conduct heat, so it can maintain the temperature of the water it carries.

Cons

Sensitivity to sunlight – Plastic pipes will become brittle if they are exposed to the UV rays of the sun.

Low melting point – Since plastic burns or melts at lower temperatures, it presents an added danger in case of a house fire.

2. Pipe

Galvanized pipe is a steel or iron pipe that has been plated using a corrosion-resistant zinc surface. Pipes are connected using threaded fittings. Also, they are sealed with pipe dope or thread tape.

Pros

Rust-resistant and durable

It can last for up to 50 years

Cons

Heavy – Since these pipes are made of steel or iron, these are heavy to handle.

Highly susceptible to blockages – As pipes begin to deteriorate, they become prone to blockages.

3. Cast Iron

Gone are the days when cast iron piping was connected using melted lead. Today, the material is connected with plastic or rubber fittings.

Pros

Long-lasting – In some applications, the use of cast iron piping can exceed 50 years.

Quiet – These pipes can reduce, if not eliminate, the usual sounds of running water as it passes through.

Cons

Heavy – Since it is made of iron, it is too heavy, so transporting and working with it can be difficult.

Hard – These pipes are challenging to cut. It usually requires special tools like a metal cutting saw or snap-wrench.

Repairing or installing your plumbing system will depend on the specifications and design of your original plumbing. But it is always best to consult a trustworthy plumbing contractor like Tureks Plumbing before commencing with any plumbing project or to hire them to get the whole job done.

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Do I Need a Whole House Filter?

July 2nd, 2018

Do I Need a Whole House Filter?

It is essential for everyone to drink pure water. However, you should not forget about how significant a whole house filter is and how it can protect your long-term health. This filters out contaminants, chemical waste, heavy metals, cancer-causing agents and pesticides that can soak into your skin while you shower.

Believe it or not, much of the well water and tap water in the United States are not clean. They contain toxic materials from chemical disinfectants, industrial waste, man-made plants and minerals that naturally occur in nature. Moreover, existing regulations for monitoring how potable the water is only cover some of these contaminants.

And though most of the contaminant levels in groundwater and surface water are not high enough to cause immediate sickness, health experts emphasized that even small levels can cause serious damage to your health when ingested or exposed to your body for long periods of time.

So if you’re asking, “Do I need a whole house filter?”, Tureks Plumbing shares a brief overview and some of the most compelling reasons to get one.

A whole house filter – what is it?

Placed at the point where water enters your home, a whole house filter will screen out different types of harmful disinfectants, additives, and contaminants found in your water supply.

Here are some benefits of having a whole house filter in your home:

  • Healthier baths and showers
  • Brighter, softer and long-lasting clothing
  • Clean water coming out from each water source in your home
  • Healthier hair and skin
  • Extended life of water-using household pipes and appliances

2 Main Types

Heavy Duty Filtration System – This makes use of large amounts of filter media placed in a tank, making it the highest contaminant removal system. It offers specific contaminant protection for five to 10 years.

Standard Capacity Water Cartridge – This is placed inside filter housings to treat water throughout your home. The filters are usually replaced every year. Though they are more affordable, they usually require more maintenance.

Even if the water from the municipal source is treated, you may still be exposed to plenty of contaminants. So installing a whole house filter on your property is imperative. It gives you extra protection in each water outlet of your home.

Bear in mind that contaminants can be inhaled or absorbed through your skin. If you do not have special water contaminant problems, then a carbon filtration system is highly recommended. But for water issues, it’s best to get a whole house water filter that will treat such problems. Please contact Tureks Plumbing if you have any questions or concerns. 

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What Are the Top Kitchen Remodel Trends in 2018?

June 28th, 2018

What Are the Top Kitchen Remodel Trends for 2018?

You can recoup 81.1 percent of your cost from a minor kitchen remodel, according to a 2018 report from business intelligence source Hanley Wood. The typical cost of a kitchen renovation for a midrange property is $21,198, and the added resale value of that project is $17,193. It’s not a bad investment when you want to put your home back in the market.

But what kind of remodel would you do? What should you change? If you’re at a loss for ideas, look to these top kitchen remodel trends for 2018.

Quartz-surfaced Countertops

Kitchens this year shimmer with this engineered stone. It’s a combination of roughly 94 percent quartz with polyester resins (for binding) and pigments (for color). The trendy countertop is not just alluring in a kitchen; it’s also low maintenance in comparison to granite. Quartz is scratch-resistant and stands up against stains.

Even better, this engineered stone now comes in a variety of patterns, colors, and styles. If you’re not in love with the polished look, try getting your quartz countertops sandblasted or embossed for a matte finish.

Counter-height Islands

Since kitchens have turned into the hub of any home for gathering with the family and entertaining friends, the island has become essential. This year, the multi-functional and aesthetic feature is even more of a star.

The ideal island not only allows for seamless movement in the kitchen. It also serves as an extension for prepping food. Counter-height islands further provide storage solutions, keeping kitchens free of clutter.

Masculine and Moody

White kitchens are still in, but the dominant palettes this year are warm grays, light khaki tones, and dark finishes. The mixture of these colors creates a masculine and somewhat moody style.

Modern Farmhouse

As the shift toward natural food and healthier lifestyles move steadily, kitchens are adopting the trend with a take on farm life. The style works around the concept of less is more. You’ll find open shelving, reclaimed wood (reclaimed-like wood), and other similar elements all feature in the modern farmhouse. With the right cabinetry you can create a shabby chic look that will last decades! 

The Smart Kitchen

Finally, what contemporary kitchen would not be without some type of smart gadget? As the Internet of Things (IoT) improves devices further, you’ll find today’s kitchens featuring more than just the typical fridge that tells you you’re out of milk and eggs or an oven with a camera that cooks your food without your intervention.

Some of the devices you might want in your kitchen are: the HAPIfork that tracks your eating habits; Bluetooth-enabled precision cookers that allow you to cook through your smartphone, and the fridgecam, which is cheaper than a smartfridge but lets you know if you need to pick up milk or eggs.

No matter which style works best for your home, our design consultants at Turek’s Plumbing can help you design and install your dream kitchen.

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How to Hire a Contractor for a Kitchen Remodel

June 26th, 2018

Better Renovation: How to Hire a Contractor for a Kitchen Remodel

A home remodel has two advantages.

One, it improves your lifestyle and comfort level.

Two, it could raise your property’s value on the market.

You want to make sure that you achieve both with this project, so there’s a lot at stake when you decide to take down walls, extend a space, or modernize an outdated room. Clearly, it’s a job for a professional kitchen remodel contractor.

Here’s how to hire a contractor for a kitchen remodel:

Get a recommendation from the right sources

Keep your pool of options small by getting recommendations from the right people. You can start with the Home Builders and Remodelers Association (HBRA) in your area. The council will point you in the right direction, giving a few businesses that specialize in remodeling to look into. If you have friends or family who had a successful renovation project, you can also ask them for their contractor’s details.

Check the contractor’s license and insurance

You’ll want to make sure your contractor has the license to work in the Fox Valley area. A contractors license means that the contractor abides by state and local rules. It also indicates that the business has a solid reputation and has not had or has received few complaints. Turek’s Plumbing has a pristine reputation and are well known for our excellent service. 

Your contractor should also have adequate insurance to mitigate any incident on your property; if the contractor’s workers injure themselves or injure your neighbors, the insurance should settle the problem.

Spend time talking with the contractor

You’ve checked out the kitchen remodeling contractor’s credentials and seen previous projects. Now it’s time to talk with the contractor. You could do it over the phone, but nothing beats personal contact when scrutinizing a person you’re going to work with for months.

You need to make sure you’re comfortable with this person and that you trust him or her. The personal contact is crucial because you’ll not only work with the professional for months, but that person is also going to be in your home plenty of times.

Talk about guidelines for workers

Carpenters, installers, and painters are going to take over your home for the duration of your kitchen remodel. This, however, is not a license for the workers to come and go as they please. Headwaters Construction, Inc., a Sacramento commercial construction company, suggests establishing guidelines with the contractor. This could include workers showing up early, working past the usual schedule, using facilities in your home, and other limitations or expectations. 

Get every agreement in writing

Finally, never start the project without a contract in place. The document needs to establish the extent of the remodel, your contractor’s responsibilities, deadlines, costs, and solutions to potential issues that may arise during construction.

When you start with a good recommendation, follow through with a meeting with the contractor, and punctuate your search with a contract, your kitchen remodel will be efficient.

To Schedule a no-obligation estimate for your kitchen remodel project, contact us today!

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Slow Water Heater – How to Fix It

June 10th, 2018

After a long day at work, the one thing that you want most is to take a long, hot shower.

But your water heater has other plans.

Instead of showering with warm water, you end up not showering at all because it took so long to get hot water.

Factors that cause slow hot water

Before you go to Google and type slow water heater – how to fix it, there are a few things that you need to know.

There are plenty of factors that may cause your slow hot water problem.

One of the most common reasons is the distance between the pipes and the fixture. If the shortest distance between points A and B is a straight line, that is rarely the case in residential homes. In most cases, hot water from the heater needs to travel 30, 40, or sometimes, even 50 feet to get to the fixture.

The water flow rate in the pipes and fixtures can also contribute greatly to this problem. The smaller the diameter of the pipes used in your home, the slower the speed of the hot water getting to the fixture will be.

And if you are using low flow faucets and/or showers in your home, the rate by which hot water flows out will be shaved by several seconds.

Water pipes can also absorb heat from the water, thus increasing your wait time. Some types of pipe materials and the temperature of the pipes themselves can translate to heat loss, slowing the flow of hot water.

Slow hot water is also a common problem in homes that use tankless water heaters. This is because the water has to travel through the inlet and outlet of the water heater with a cold temperature.

What can you do to fix a slow water heater?

There are two approaches to solve a slow water heater problem.

First, you can shift your focus on the water pipes to prevent these from cooling the water before it reaches the faucet or shower.

This will require the use of a small pump mounted on the fixture that is farthest from the water heater. This pump is used in conjunction with the water heater in order to ensure the circulation of hot water in the pipes, and that the cold water is circulated back to the heater.

However, the water heater will need to be turned on longer than it normally would be.

Another solution you might want to try also involves the use of a small pump in the faucet or shower farthest from the water heater. The main difference between this and the aforementioned method is that the water heater is only turned on when you are planning to use hot water.

Here, the primary purpose of the pump is not to circulate hot water. Instead, the small pump is used to increase the flow rate of hot water.

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Types Of Plumbing Pipes And Their Uses

June 6th, 2018

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][mk_padding_divider][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1528316005240{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Although you may not be a plumber by trade or plumbing aficionado, knowing the different types of plumbing pipes and their uses can help you decide which kind to get when you need to replace your old or damaged pipes. In case you’re still having your home built, having knowledge of the most popular types of pipes, their advantages and disadvantages will enable you to have a plumbing system that will work and last for a long time.

Below are the most commonly used types of plumbing pipes, their purposes and advantages:

PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe

PVC plumbing pipes are used for drain, vent, and waste lines, cold and hot potable waterlines, and for sewage applications. Their thickness and configurations vary depending on the application where it will be used. PVC pipes are light and easy to work with and install.

Rigid Copper Pipe

Copper pipes are the most traditional and popularly used plumbing pipes since they are durable, long-lasting, and corrosion-resistant. They are also the best water supply pipe option since they do not carry certain health risks that PVC pipes have. They work well with both hot and cold water.

Copper plumbing pipes, however, have to be soldered together and may require some additional fittings. As such, you or your contractor have to be good at soldering if you want to use this type of material.

PEX or Cross-linked Polyethylene Piping

PEX pipes are flexible, color-coded plastic pipes that are easy to cut and simple to connect. They are now one of the most popular plumbing pipe options used for residences and small business establishments or buildings since they require little maintenance. They are one of the strongest and most durable materials today and can thus remain leak-free for a long period of time.

Stainless Steel Pipes

Stainless steel pipes are typically used in areas subject to corrosion and near coastal areas. It is one of the most durable types of plumbing pipe materials. This type of pipe is available in both flexible and rigid varieties. If they will be attached to other types of pipes, special couplings will be needed.

Cast Iron Plumbing Pipes

Cast iron plumbing pipes are generally manufactured as bell and spigot types. Most cast iron plumbing pipes come with threaded joints but they are more expensive than the bell and spigot ones.

Cast iron pipes are heavier than any other pipes and as such, are best used for underground water distribution system. You will often see them as the main pipe on drainage or sewer systems.

Expert Fox Valley plumbers can also help you choose which type of pipe is best for your home construction or renovation project. Seasoned plumbers, such as those from Turek’s Plumbing, can have trucks stocked with all a huge variation of plumbing pipes. If you decide the job is better suited for a Fox Valley Plumber, give us a call. We have solutions that will meet your requirements, budget, and particular project.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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